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Sunday, 28 June 2009

I have had the most fantasticaciouslyfundangling wonderful day. Tell you all about it later.

Woooohooooohellllooooooo!!!!!!!! Right now, where were we? Ah yes, well on Sunday I was planning to go to the Stonehaven show to meet a few people and to buy Shorty lunch. But then Shorty was poooorly and I got news that it was dinging doon (er, I mean, raining) down there so I decided to head north instead and follow the sun. I ended up going to Captain Bill's to collect my *NEW* fuel tap for Cubbie and combined the run with trying out my two new helmets that I've had in the cupboard for about 18months. My instantly recognisable blue GBC helmet is about 8 years old, and although that doesn't really bother me, the fact that the seal around the visor leaks so badly that I get rain in my eyes and the pods over the sides leak so badly I get a draft in my ears, does. So I bought what I thought to be a good deal - a matt black Caberg, think it was around £90. Or it might have been just over £100, can't remember, I just know that I can't afford an ultra comfy / light one at closer to £400. Tried it on in the shop, wore bike gear and the salesman checked that it was a good and safe fitting, and he assured me that it is one of the quietest "cheap" ones. The first time I wore it on the bike it was so noisy, painful and drafty that I slung it to the back of the shelf. Then a friend gave me her son's Nolan lid, which he only wore a handful of times as pillion on his Dad's bike, but I didn't much like that either.

So I rode over to Captain Bill's wearing the Caberg to see if it was any better than I remembered, but after the first ten miles or so, it felt like I had 6" nails digging into the side of my head, and it was so drafty that my eyes were watering. I realise new helmets take a while to bed in, so put up with it for the rest of the way.

Anyway, got to Bill's, had some chocolate, got chatting about bike club stuff and then about something else, and then for some reason, he asked if I'd like a go on the Greeves Scottish he has tucked away in the shed. It would be rude to refuse, wouldn't it? So he wiggled it out from it's hiding place between the Connaught and his old racing bike - yers, he used to race regularly when he lived in Oz. The Greeves fired up easily and Bill pottered off on it to make sure all was ok. Then it was my turn, so I gave it an almighty kick, probably harder than was necessary, and we were off. Down for first gear, the little lever tucked neatly into the side, popopopopop up the grassy track and along the rutted road towards the woods. Spent a short while mucking around, practising turning in ever decreasing circles, found I can only go anti-clockwise these days! Must be getting rusty after not having ridden a trials bike for a few years. So that was all good fun, had some lunch, was just about to go, when Bill looked at me, muttered something, and then seemed to change his mind. Not being one to let that kind of behaviour go, I asked what he'd said. "Oh, nothing, I was just going to make an improper suggestion". Hmmm, it's a good job I know him well enough to know he wasn't really going to do anything of the sort! I finally managed to beat it out of him, and what he'd said was....."let's go and get the old racer out!".

Now you have to bear in mind that this is his 1949 AJS Model 16, which has been in storage since 1984. I assumed he must have been tinkering with it lately, but no, he pulled it from the shed, pumped the tyres up, filled it up with oil, and then fetch a drum of alcohol. Oh my dear sweet Lordy Lord of Racing Motorcycles, what am I doing? It's one thing going for a potter on a bike that hasn't run for 25 years, but quite another filling with it alcohol and blasting off down a bumpy track. Oh well, Bill isn't one to inflict unnecessary risks upon anyone, so I went along with it. He removed the bung from the air intake, which had attached to it a sign instructing the rider to "REMOVE BEFORE STARTING", quite good advice I think, and we wheeled the beast out to the lane. With the sun beating down, Bill put the bike into gear, pulled it backwards until it hit compression, explaining each move to me as he went, and then sprinted off down the track. Pinging the clutch out as he jumped upon the saddle, the rear wheel locked and the engine coughed, and then there was silence.

Hmmmm.

Back he came, did it all again, but with the same result. So I gave him a push, which did at least result in a puff or three of dirty looking smoke from the zorst. Time to clean the points, says Bill, so we push it back to base, clean the points and try again. Each time it sounded a little more promising, yet each time it just failed to keep going. So we returned to base and attached a light bulb thingy to check for a spark, which there was. Humbug. We were both too hot and exhausted to make any more attempts to get the old beasty going. But ya know, that was the most fun I've had in a long time. Some times the simple things of messing about with bikes and friends can be a most rewarding exercise. And had I not scoffed half a bar of chocolate, it may well have resulted in healthy exercise too.

Time had certainly flown, seeing as I'd arrived at about 11am, and it had gone 5pm by the time I left for home, wearing my Nolan helmet this time. Although not the quietest or most comfy lid in the world, it certainly beats the Caberg and I think once the padding wears in, it should be bearable.

So that was Sunday, and yesterday I finally got around to fitting new tappets to Cubbie, which was nearly as exciting, in its own way. What should apparently be a 10min job actually took me somewhere in the region of 4 hours. That includes time spent trying to fix the phone / internet that BT said there was nothing wrong with, but which miraculously cured itself within half an hour of reporting it to BT. Every time I set the gap and tightened the lock nut, the gap closed up, and then I got a socket stuck on the end of one of the tappets, which had to be removed using brute force. Finally gave up and accepted that they must be right, although Mrs BC said she thought the gap was too tight, yet I thought it too slack. Then moved on to re-fitting the light, bodging some more silicon sealer around the ammeter and trying to fit a not-so-new speedo, as the original one seems to be beyond repair. Ended up pulling the cover off the ammeter and having to take it apart and then rebuild it, with added silicon of course. Then when I was fitting the speedo cable, I inadvertently popped the speedo out because the silicon hadn't dried fully. Then the biggest challenge was the horn, which I'd forgotten about. The button had fallen off somewhere in Keith, on the way to Dornoch a few weeks ago. So I tried adapting the kill switch from the Bultaco, but that didn't work, and time was running out and I had to catch and dose a lamb before going to work. Whizzed in to the car spares place on the way to work and bought a two-pronged flick switch that I thought might do the trick - the fancy push button they had was £8. The other one was 75p.

So up early today as the MoT was at 10am, and then realised that I'd fitted the kill switch back to front - wrong wires to wrong terminals! Sorted that out and hey presto, we have a beep-beep button again. Fired Cubbie up, tappets are a bit noisy, and there's a good oil leak coming from one of the rocker boxes, but hopefully it'll get me to the MoT station.....

.....which it did...and I've just got back with a PASS!!!!!! So Cubbie lives again!!! Northumberland here we come...on Friday...if the insurance docs arrive in time for me to get the tax on the way....

Sorry these are as good as it gets, due to having a spare lid stuffed in my rucksack, there was no room for a camera, and I wasn't anticipating anything exciting happening that was worth hanging my camera around my neck for, so these were taken with my phone.

I know I have some other pics somewhere of the Greeves and Connaught, but which file they're in is another matter.

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Well it's always GBC this, GBC that, Cubbie this and Cubbie the other on here. So I thought it would make a change to see what you lot have been up to.

First up is Shorty. He only gets to go first because I know my manners and I always let the short people go first. Although it almost hurts to post this photo of his multi-award-winning Ajay. Since the picture was taken, he has won yet another prize on this mighty machine.

Class winner at FraserburghBest in show at the Angus Show3rd in class at the Loch Ness rally in Inverness

~~~

Next up is Kawa. Can you guess where he went?Ok, looks like no one is playing. Here are a few words from the man himself -

Friday morning and up early, got to be down at Cairnryan for the 8am ferry, stuff on bike and along to the local petrol station. Noticed it was 6am and thought 2hrs to the ferry(100mls), no problem. Think I got to around Ayr when the penny dropped, or more like woke up, but I've got to book in about half an hour before hand, at the latest. Arrived at the terminal at around 7.50am, not a soul to be seen in the usual places, so popped in to the main building and was greeted by a very nice lady. After a wee telling off for being late, in the school teacher sort of way, and don't do it again, I was through the gate and on to the boat. Crossing was fine, and no screaming kids as this was one of the Transport Cafes of the sea, one of the commercial vehicle only ferries. We arrived in Larne on time and for once was first off the boat (that'll be 'cos you were last on then eh!). First stop was just out of Larne for fuel, before the run over to Derry/Londonderry about 75mls. Uneventful run over, but did pass the highest Pub in Ireland somewhere on the road. Did I say it was raining the whole way there, must be getting used to the rain.

Arrived at my mate Davy's around mid day, caught up with things then headed out to give his early Kawasaki Z1 the once over. Early evening we headed over to Derry to have my guide tour of the City wall and a good bit of local history, very interesting. Was surprised how small the area in side the wall is. Saturday morning and Davy and his wife had left to catch a flight to London, where they were picking up an early Ducati Monster. A quick cuppa, plan my route for the day and I was off heading for Port Stuart. While up there I just had to have a wee ride round the NW200 course, but not at the racers speeds. I have been at the NW200 a few times and one of the reasons for this trip was to visit some of the places I never seem to have had the time to stop off at. So I headed along the coast route towards Bushmills, passing by the Whiterocks and the interesting remains of Dunluce Castle. While heading through the town heading for the Bushmills Distillery there was a fantastic smell of a full cooked breakfast, made a mental note to fine the source of it on the way back. Had a quick look round the visitor centre, took some pics then off down to the Cafe to have my Full Ulster (Ulcer) Breakfast, even got extra toast and tea. No rain so far, well not till I got about a mile from my next stop which was the Giants Causeway. I had this image of parking the bike and walking a 100yds and I was on the Causeway, more like park up and walk a mile an a half .There is a wee bus that runs up an down, £1 each way, so being tight I walked (I took the bus, it's a fun ride!). All I can say is it was well worth the visit, even better than the pics I'd seen off the place.

Next on the plan was to visit the Joey Dunlop Memorial in Ballymoney, it was a really good dry run down there taking about half an hour. In the town, eventually one of the locals had to point me in the right direction, think I rode past it a couple of times. The memorial site is nicely set out and is a fantastic tribute to a great man. The rest of the trip was down to Ballymeana, then from there about 20mls over to Larne. I arrived there with a couple of hours to spare so just had a look round the town , then took a run along the coast road for about 15mls before heading back to join the cue for the ferry. All in a good few days away. Heading to Orkney next month sometime, got a few things I want to see up there, anyone want to go?

~~~

Poor old Bantam Cub hasn't had much time to get out and about on this bike lately, but after our little excursion to the Lothians and Argyll, he did invest in a new tool bag for the back of the bike so that he can carry his 'proper' tools - ones that don't snap midway through a wheel removal job! Looks neat, don't you think?

~~~

Next up is Stu. Do you ever wonder who these people are who leave comments onthe blog, what they look like, what they ride? I do. So it's nice to get a weepiccy from time to time. Only recently did Stu rediscover the joys of being outin the fresh air, getting cold and wet, and the Bonnie is his pride and joy. Oh,and meet Daisy and Wee Jock!

~~~

Ah, yes, then we have Graham. I was kinda hoping that my request for pics might result in some bike shows and rallies up and down the country, but no, I get photos of broken speedo internals! Graham, of Improving Classic Motorcycles fame, very kindly volunteered (had his arm twisted?) to fix Cubbie's speed measuring device. Upon closer inspection, he informs me it's all pretty bad news. Can you guess which bits are Cubbies in the following picture?

I was on a MZ as a bit of a joke at a local classic meeting. It was a bundle of fun and I raced in almost every class, over 9 races in one day! It's a standing joke in the pits. Eligible for almost every class it's a whopping 250cc and dates to some time BC (or atleast feels like it when you ride it), but still I finished 5th in the pre'89 open two stroke class on the tighter layout at Ruapuna.

The classic bike is a home-built bike from down south. It was built in 1966 (or '63, I can't remember exactly) and is two twin cylinder chainsaw engines joined together. It has a BSA front end. Anyone know anything else about it?

~~~

Ah! BigBob! Thanks for the link to your Photo Bucket page - hope you don't mind if I borrow a few pictures from the British and European Motorcycle day in Maryland a wee whiley back...

Saved the best til last...

They certainly have a fine selection of some nice old bikes over there.~~~Still on the 'other side of the world' theme, managed to talk Ol' Diggy into sending a couple of pics of his latest project, a 1939 BSA B25. We think the DVLA in the UK is slow and inefficient when it comes to dishing out registrations and paperwork for our projects, but poor Dig has spent three years working on the bike, and now he's been waiting over 6 weeks to get the legalities sorted. The only quote I could extract from his was "if it ever happens"... Cracking bike though.

Monday, 22 June 2009

So there y'are. I'm back on Shorty's Suzuki. Tearing along country roads towards Oban on the evening before the Longest Day, and although it's been warm through the daylight hours, the clouds are brewing and the sun keeps hiding behind big lumpy hilly bits. I can't be bothered to stop and put my padded over trousers on, even though my legs are going numb with the cold breeze, but I'm nearly there. Just another fifty miles to go. No, can't be that close already. Ah, hang on, this thing works in kilometres. I know the thing that most, if not all of you want to read about, is the bike, but sadly I can't comment too much on it, because the whole purpose of having it on long term loan, is to do a write up for a magazine. So the best I can do, is to let you know when and where you can read all about it. Finally made it to Oban, grabbed a healthy take away meal and stuffed it in my rucksack. I don't know if the lady at Glenroy B&B could smell it or not, but she didn't let on. She was probably horrified at this frozen, stammering little girlie who'd stumbled into her house at bang on the time she had estimated (9pm), who had trouble signing in as her fingers wouldn't bend. Even after my smoked sausage and chips I was still cold, so filled the kettle and had a hot chocolate. And a Kitkat. And a couple of short bread biscuits. What? Well they're put in the room for people to eat, so I might as well oblige! Snuggled down under the duvet, piled the towels from the bathroom and my spare clothes on top of me and watched a very interesting programme about brain surgery while I thawed out. Deep brain stimulation and the pioneering lobotomists. Fascinating stuff. Up later than planned on Sunday, had a lovely breakfast, got chatting to the gentleman of the house about bikes - he used to have a Triumph, and a BSA, and something called a 'Onda I think it was. As a result, the B&B is ultra bike friendly, with a private car / bike park, and they even provide bits of wood should you need something to put under the sidestand. I apologise to them if Room 7 had a slight odour of stale chips about it! http://www.glenroyguesthouse.co.uk/

So back on the bike, finally found a petrol station, filled up, and it started to rain. On the with the waterproofs and track back along the A85 to Taynuilt and the start of the Bracken Trundle. By the time I arrived, most people were already gathered in the Bridge of Awe hotel, munching bacon rolls and signing on. Lots of faces there I knew, and some I didn't. Decided it was best just to follow someone - chose Peter Oram - who promptly rode off out of the hotel car park the wrong way up a one way system. Made an executive decision not to follow Peter! Tagged on behind a batch of bikes and once off the main road, the group settled into a steady chuggy pace, winding along a single track up and over the hill, dodging sheep and cattle. The views would have been stunning had it not been for the low cloud and intermittent rain throughout the day. As we came around a corner, a beautifully moody view across a loch spread out in front of us, so me being me, I had to stop. Waved the rest of the group past, took a few shots, and then somehow, got left way, way behind. Rattled on at a sharp pace on the Suzi - really quite a racy little number ya know, and then what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Ralph (from the Auld Reekie VMCC Section) on his Commando, awaiting my arrival in a lay by. He signalled for me to take the next left, so I did, and we whirled along more single tracks that twisted and turned down into valleys and weaved in and out of small pockets of trees. Playing catch up is fun. Ralph took the lead at the next junction, and within a few minutes we'd caught up, and tagged along at the rear of the group until the lunch stop at the Creagan Inn. Thank you to Peter and Chris for lunch and drinkies.

After lunch, I made yet another executive decision and opted to follow the rear end of Bill's Laverda Jarama. I don't know how we did it, but even stopping to consult Bill's compass several times, we ended up back at the Bridge of Awe before anyone else. *Note: never follow a man who doesn't have a compass. Peter came in just minutes after us, so I suspect he was waiting around the corner...not wanting to go in the wrong way on the one way system or something... Tea (but I don't drink tea), coffee (and I don't drink coffee) and sarnies and biscuits (I DO eat sarnies and biscuits) were provided and we noshed our way through about half a dozen trays of them. Had time for a good chat with a few people, and before I knew it, the hours had ticked by and it was time for me to head home. The road from Taynuilt to Tyndrum is simply divine, but overly decorated with signs showing bendy bits and instructing the rider / driver to slow down. Hmmm. Me thinks you'll have a hard time getting any biker to slow down along there. Although, having said that, I didn't feel the need to exceed any speed limits, it's simply a great road to ride in a smooth and easy fashion. Got some stunning scenery too, winding around the base of Ben Cruachan, known as the Hollow Mountain - Google it if you don't know what I'm on about, and on the other side is Loch Awe and more sweeping shale covered hillsides, topped with more low cloud! Heading east and the weather brightened a little, still not exactly my idea of the Summer Solstice but better than nothing. By this time I was getting more used to the revvy nature of the Suzuki - it's a GS450S by the way, and was able to make the most of all those beautiful, well surfaced corners. After a long weekend of travelling and eating, home is the main thing on my mind, so I opted for the A90 to take me north. Some five hours after leaving the Trundlers, I arrived back at GBC Towers, somewhat peckish and a little tired. Which I am now, so if you'll excuse me, I'm off to bed, will check the above for nonsense, and stick the pics up tomorrow after fence mending. Ta ra. Many thanks to Pat & Jim for a great run, shame about the weather, but that's half the fun, now we've got something to moan about!

Thursday, 18 June 2009

Been a busy few days here in GBC Towers. Here's an idea of what I've been doing while you lot have been cleaning your bikes after a good weekends riding.

You might think October is toooo far ahead to be thinking of, but to comply with all the health and safety / risk assessment stuff that goes on these days, we have to find ourselves an Official First Aider for our 2nd Haggis Run (entry forms are availaby by the way...). I've got a name and number for a chap, but haven't managed to catch him yet. Don't let me forget to call him over the weekend if I'm here.

Had a most productive meeting with Robbie Allan the other day (yers..THE Robbie Allan) about the Grampian Motorcycle Convention, to be held at Alford in September. It was mainly to check details of our club stand and such like, but got chatting about all kinds of things, including bits for trials Cubs, and his Dakar experience a couple of years ago. As a result of the meeting, I've been able to send loads of entry forms out, canvass other clubs to come along, and to generally reassure people that the new format is going to be good. We've got an area measuring 50m x 20m to display pre1983 road, off road and racing motorcycles, so if you want an entry form...get in touch...or download one from http://www.gcmcc.co.uk/ > Alford link on the left.

The phone seems to have been red hot today, what with calling the First Aider chappy, and trying to get hold of a big name speaker from Ingerland to talk about dates that he can / can't visit, and speaking to people who are lending me bikes, and arranging some accommodation for a bike trip, and a quick call to Captain Bill to keep him in the loop...oh the list goes on. The email has been chirping away too, with, amongst other things, a request from My Friend the Author, Graham Blighe - he of the most handy title "Improving Classic Motorcycles", who is looking for a single (or pair of) Girling Gas shock 12.5 inches between centres for his Daytona, which apparently, is a bit wallowy. I've already reviewed the book in Old Bike Mart, but if you missed that, let me tell you it's a good read - rather than do any of the improvements he suggests, I was quite interested just to read about them! I might get around to sorting Cubbie's front brake one day... You can buy a copy of his book at http://stores.lulu.com/improvingclassicmotorcycles

Plans for the Grampian Classic Club BBQ are underway, just as well as it's in July. Mind you, I've got the same old problem. Lack of communication. So far 3 people have booked, and I bet anything you like, closer to 25-30 will turn up. Is it too much to ask that people simply click on "Reply" and let me know??? Got Slim on the trail of organising the August club run to a local engineering place, and Mr Jolly who works with molten metal, forging (geddit??) ahead with ideas for a visit to his work place in September. October is our club AGM so that's that month taken care of, and for November, I just need to decide which speaker to invite. Got a few lined up. Talking of talking, I've been asked to visit the Highland Classic MCC to give them a presentation about the VMCC and my job as Area Rep, so looking forward to that. Oh yes, better just confirm my plans for attending meetings at the Clyde Vally and Auld Reekie VMCC Sections too....

In between doing the above tasks, I managed to fit in a bit of strimming and DIY around the place, caught the ewes and lambs to do their feet, and moved them to different paddocks. Also have finally managed to get Flying / Fearless Freddie away. By 'away' I mean he's gone to the big sheep field in the sky, aka, our freezer. Anyone want some succulent, tender, organically and naturally reared mutton? Ah yes, knew there was something else, I went to work too. Which reminds me, I've been carrying your tee shirt around in the car with me for the last few days John....I'll pop it in the post tomorrow....thanks for the discs...

Well that about covers it. What have you been up to? Where are you going this weekend? I need to know. Hey, here's a thought...why don't you send me a photo or two of a bike ride / run / meeting that you attended recently...and maybe just a couple of lines to say where and what it was. Yeah! Go on! DO IT!!!

Monday, 15 June 2009

.....coming soon! Gotta go move some sheep around from field to field, then do some paper work...then check in with the office (actually, gotta do that first, or there will be trouble)....then organise my work for today....then sort piccies from the weekend....then...I might get time to announce the winner!

Well, got home from work a little later than planned, so here it is. The Winner is....John from http://www.bikeshite.com/. Well done that man, one tee shirt on its way. Thanks to you all for having a chuckle and taking part. Darrell, the lamb stew reference was just to give you a clue about time of day....Mrs BC popped me out and still had time for lunch! Maybe the fact that I was born at food time is why I quite like food...and lots of it...

Had a cracking day on Friday, despite getting up at 4am. Was on the plane to Birmingham International Airport by 7am, and in the HQ of the Vintage Motorcycle club in Burton-upon-Trent by 11am, chatting to the Chief Executive Office, James Hewing. I mustn't forget to thank the lovely lady who came and collected me from the station...your name seems to have, er, escaped me, sorry! Hello to all the rest of the ladies in the office who were all working hard, and to Annice in the world famous VMCC library who showed me all the files, folders and shelves full of magazines, books, documents, and reference articles. I've gotta go back there for a better look in the not too distant future. As you can imagine, I was more than a little surprised to discover there was chocolate birthday cake for GBC! The Management Meeting went smoothly and I was chauffeured back to the station by David Davies, Editor of the monthly Journal, in his rather plush 1980s Mercedes. It was only ever so slightly unnerving that he was positioned in what would normally be the passenger seat and that the car appeared to be sweeping along the busy streets without any input from a driver - left hand drive ya see! (Hey, c'mon, I come from the country where we only have tractors, and they don't usually have seats). NEXT VMCC Management Meeting - September.

Made it back to the airport and got checked in for the return flight. For some reason, the airline staff decided to move the passengers who were booked into seats in row 5. The guy before me in the queue was allocated a seat at the rear of the plane, then they ran out of seats. They sent me on board and the hostess instructed me to row 17. Great stuff, got a seat all to myself. Wrong. Turned out to be someone elses seat, so I switched sides and sat by the window on the other side of the isle. Then those seats belonged to an elderly couple, so I moved again to finally find a spare seat in row 7. Not so very far from row 5. Well at least I got a free goodie bag of wine for Mrs BC out it.

Saturday was a day off, and apart from a little bit of Cubbie stuff, I wasn't allowed to do owt; no phones, no emails, no nothing, just rest 'n' relax - at my age I need all the rest I can get. Sunday came too soon and it was up early again. The reason being a long drive out west to Sid's house, where I would undergo a short riding assessment to determine if a) I could start the bike he was going to lend me and b) I could reach the ground. Not necessarily in that order. I passed both tests and soon had the homemade special - a 1951 Matchless SuperHawk burbling along the country lanes behind Sid (AJS Golden Streak) and his brother Ray (Matchless Model X). Can't tell you too much - annoying that, eh? But I can give you a wee tempter...it's a 1929 750cc sidevalve JAP motor in a Matchless frame...with Hurricane zorsts and various bits and pieces. Full road test will be in Old Bike Mart one day. We were heading over to the Loch Ness rally but the first port of call was to Bob's house to assist with his BSA. I didn't assist, but Sid and Ray did. Alas, to no avail as it had serious carby problems and nearly killed us all with it's noxious fumes while it 8-stroked. That's a technical term I've learnt. So Bob jumped on his modern Duke and we finally made it to Inverness for the rally. Over 100 entries, sunshine, good company, great roads alongside Loch Ness, and the Meigle Mafia. What more can you want from a day out? Well, howsabout some balloons with "Happy 30th Birthday" on them, affixed to one's motorcycle, and the presentation of a custom made birthday card with a picture of GBC from some 25 years ago, and signed by loads of friends. I tell ya, Shorty's gotta watch his back. Hehehe, I'll get you for that boyo, just you wait. I could be mean and start by telling them all about that Suzuki you lent me, and how it broke down within the space of two days....but I wouldn't do that...hehehe. The actual ride around the Loch was great, starting off on the slow and bumpy south road I think it is, stopping at the Whitebridge pub for a wee suppy water, and then on to Fort Augustus where it rained a tiddly bit. Ray got the short straw and ended up sitting under the drippy edge of the brolly while we ate sticky buns and chips. Gotta give Neville a mention too - nice to see you again, hope you've stopped fiddling with the Norton now! The ride back to the leisure centre where the rally had started from was fun, even in the rain. A crafty word in Bert's ear earlier resulted in a bit of fun with the prize giving, which I missed 'cos I was too busy eating....but rumour has it that Shorty won yet another prize...but when he went to collect his rosette he was asked to stand on tippy-toes, ha, that'll teach him to mess with me.

But really, who wants to come 3rd????

As well as having all this fun, I had my official hat on too - that of Area Rep - remember, if I'm out and about and you've got a VMCC related issue or question, don't be afraid to mention it. If there is a queue forming (which there was at one point!) you may wish to buy me an ice cream and catch me later.

So all in all, had an absolutly cracking weekend, even with the wee bit o' rain and the early mornings and late nights. The beautiful sunsets and good biker buddies make up for it.